Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $48,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $48,660/year (≈ $23.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $50,198 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The certified nursing assistant salary in Milwaukee has found a new equilibrium post-COVID, with the 2026 median projected at $48,660. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $45,007, showcasing an 8.12% premium for local workers. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in the area extends from $41,375 at the lower tenth percentile to $52,355 at the ninety percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the evolving landscape of healthcare compensation in Milwaukee. As the demand for skilled nursing assistants steadily increases, this profession benefits from both a competitive salary and an expansive local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,375 | $19.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,655 | $21.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,660 | $23.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,109 | $24.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,355 | $25.17 |
Median Salary Position
8.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,980 (2026 est.). At $48,660, the local median is 8.12% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be above the median
How Milwaukee Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $48,660/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,473 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +8.12% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $48,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.12% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $48,660 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,198 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$30,790
2025 BLS Actual
$45,690
2026 Current Est.
$48,660
2019–2027 Growth
+68.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 48.4% from $30,790 (2019) to $45,690 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,033 (68.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,375 – $44,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,655 – $48,660 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,660 – $51,109 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,109 – $52,355 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Milwaukee
With approximately 7,880 certified nursing assistants employed in Milwaukee, the demand for these professionals remains robust. The cost of living index stands at 96.937, suggesting that take-home purchasing power is favorable compared to national averages. In terms of employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay within the sector, while home health agencies and assisted living communities have become increasingly competitive. Factors contributing to wage variability include shift differentials, where night shifts can earn an additional $2-4 per hour and weekend work garners premiums of $1-3. Those seeking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Milwaukee should consider pursuing CMA certification stipends and weekend-only roles, as well as remaining flexible to agency work, which often offers premium rates during staffing shortages. As the healthcare landscape continues to shift, certified nursing assistants in Milwaukee are well-positioned to advance their careers and incomes through continued training and strategic job choices.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Milwaukee, WI in 2026?
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Milwaukee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Milwaukee?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Milwaukee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,690 for certified nursing assistantsin the Milwaukee metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov